Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the randomized double-blinded clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of tooth brushing with Salvadora persica (miswak) sticks on Streptococcus mutans count and the mean plaque score relative to brushing with fluoridated tooth paste (FTP).MethodsOur sample included 94 healthy, high caries-risk, 8 to 9-year-old students recruited from a government school, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between February and April 2016. Subjects were randomly grouped into test (provided with miswak sticks) and control groups (provided with FTP and soft brushes). Both groups were introduced to a preparatory period (PPP) of 3 weeks. Plaque score and saliva sampling were conducted prior to the PPP and in follow-up visits by a single, calibrated and blinded dentist.ResultsBoth groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the mean plaque score across the study (P = 0.007 and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, subjects in the test group with abundant S. sanguinis increased from zero to six after 3 months.ConclusionsSalvadora Persica (miswak) and brushing with FTP significantly reduced plaque scores among school children. In addition, Salvadora persica was found to change the proportions of salivary bacteria in favor of species with less risk of inducing caries.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID #: NCT04137393.
Highlights
The aim of the randomized double-blinded clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of tooth brushing with Salvadora persica sticks on Streptococcus mutans count and the mean plaque score relative to brushing with fluoridated tooth paste (FTP)
The present clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of tooth brushing with Salvadora persica sticks on Streptococcus mutans count and the mean plaque score relative to brushing with fluoridated toothpaste (FTP) in a group of 8 to 9-year-old children at high caries risk. This randomized parallel double-blinded clinical trial was conducted at a local primary school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after the research proposal was approved by the research ethics committee of King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (066– 16)
The risk/prevalence difference was calculated according to Ezoddini-Ardakani et al, 2010, who reported that the difference in decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth due to caries (DMFT) between individuals using miswak and those using a tooth brush was 55% [8]
Summary
The aim of the randomized double-blinded clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of tooth brushing with Salvadora persica (miswak) sticks on Streptococcus mutans count and the mean plaque score relative to brushing with fluoridated tooth paste (FTP). Preventing and controlling dental caries can be accomplished by either oral hygiene measures affecting dental plaque (the main reservoir for oral bacteria) or a direct replacement of cariogenic with non-cariogenic colonies. Such preventive measures may be limited to children of high socioeconomic status [3], while the dental disease burden of illness disproportionately affects children of lower socioeconomic status [4]. Miswak is known as the “toothbrush tree”; studies reported that it contains fluoride, chloride, silica, and vitamin C, in addition to other healthy components [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
